“I missed you,” I said, though it was a complete understatement. I’d missed him so much it was beyond my ability to explain in words. It was like a piece of me had been missing, and now I’d found it again.
I ran my hands through his hair and then let my fingers trail along his jaw and lips. With one finger, I wiped away a spot of blood and then cupped his chin. His intense blue eyes caught me off guard, making me forget to breathe.
He kissed me. My skin tingled at the feel of his lips on mine, and I let the kiss deepen until the room faded away. It was just him and me alone, together, with no worries, with the entire universe before us.
King Herrick cleared his throat.
I pulled away, and my cheeks grew hot as I realized we’d done that in front of them. I stared at an upturned chair instead.
Kull took my hand in his and held it firmly. “May I have your permission to leave, Father?” he asked.
King Herrick inhaled a deep breath. Unlike Kull, he still stood with fisted hands. Rage burned in his eyes as he focused on us. King Herrick was shorter than Kull, with a round belly and reddened cheeks hidden partially by his faded blond beard. He wore the typical Wult fashion, a mixture of leather and animal hide. He also wore a thick belt that supported a sword and scabbard. With the look I saw in his eyes, I was surprised he hadn’t pulled it free.
“Fine,” his father said, “you may leave. But she stays here.”
He pointed at me.
Kull’s grip tightened. “No.”
“No?” The king raised an eyebrow. “Shall you defy me once again? I would hate for the girl to become involved. You know that our kingdom’s laws don’t protect outsiders. In fact, it is in my authority to deal with outsiders however I please.”
Kull worked his jaw back and forth. “Very well,” he finally answered. “But if you harm her…”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” A forced smile crossed his face. “As long as she takes heed of our customs and obeys our laws. Let me speak with her. You know it is for the best.”
Kull stood without speaking. The crackling fire was the only sound that broke up the silence. Finally, he seemed to make his decision. “I will wait in the other room,” Kull said. “Harm her, Father, and you will regret it.” He turned, his booted footsteps making the floorboards creak as he exited.
Heidel gave her father a curt nod and followed her brother, then closed the doors with a click.
King Herrick focused on the fireplace. “I appreciate your willingness to speak with me,” he said.
I wasn’t sure how to respond, although I was fairly certain that I had not, in fact, agreed.
“Well,” he said and turned away from the fireplace, “let’s get this over with, shall we?” He picked up two chairs, placed them upright, and motioned for me to have a seat. I unshouldered my pack and sat across from the king. I had an idea what this conversation would be about, and I dreaded it.
“I’ll have you know,” he started, “that I don’t blame you at all.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Blame me?”
“My son will make a good king someday. I have always been honored to call him my son. Yet his impulsiveness is his downfall. We all have frailties, of course, but he refuses to see his. I have tried to guide him and teach him, but I have failed to provide him the insight he needs to see his own flaws.
“I am confident that one day he will grasp the importance of his position. He is young yet, and, the gods willing, I still have a few years left.”
“If you don’t mind,” I asked, “what did you wish to speak with me about?”
“Yes, I prattle at times, don’t I? The war with the elves has ceased for the moment. With the loss of magic, they can’t fight, and I would not wish to slaughter a helpless race. The elves travel here now to join us on our quest, though they are useless in a fight without magic. I don’t see what they wish to accomplish.
“It was never my intention to go to war with the elves,” he continued, “but Kull forced my hand by choosing you over the elven princess. Our alliance with the elves would have ended much bloodshed. Contrary to what most believe, I do not delight in unnecessary killing. But Kull destroyed all chance of an alliance. Why the elven princess did not retaliate against my son is a mystery to me.”
Kull had told me once that he’d learned something about the princess—something he’d been able to use to his advantage to get out of their engagement—though he’d never told me what he’d learned.
“The elven princess travels here now, along with the head magistrate, I believe.”
“My father is coming?” Wonderful. I couldn’t wait.
“Yes. The elves are concerned about the magic, understandably so. I’m sure the elven king himself would have traveled here if his health had permitted.”
“I understand. But what does this have to do with me?”
“It has everything to do with you. My son has shown interest in you, but his responsibilities are to his country first. It’s a shame that it must be this way, but the truth of the matter is, he is a political asset. When he marries, it must be to bring security and prosperity to his country. This is the way it has been for generations. We have all sacrificed our personal feelings in order to better our homeland, myself included.
“When I was a little younger than Kull—which seems like a lifetime ago now—I fancied a woman—well, a girl, really—from my home village. The Northlands were a treacherous place at times, but Æsa was never bothered by it. She was tougher than the lot of us. Slaughtered a jagamoor once. But when my father arranged my
